White House says Iran’s prepared for attack should it decide to follow through
Kirby wouldn’t specify the nature of Iran’s readiness or the intelligence behind it, only saying, “We got to be prepared, and we are.”
The White House is also not taking the ability to protect Israel and US assets in the region for granted, Kirby added
Kirby wouldn’t specify the nature of Iran’s readiness or the intelligence behind it, only saying, “We got to be prepared, and we are.”
“We have bolstered our military capabilities in the region, and we’re watching it every single day,” he said, noting additional forces in the region and improved deterrent posture.
Kirby said the administration is “laser focused” on both ensuring it can defend itself and Israel while also trying to get the deal in place.
Iran’s right to respond
Iran’s new Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told his French and British counterparts in telephone conversations on Friday that it was his country’s right to retaliate against Israel for last month’s assassination of a Hamas official in Tehran, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Iran blames Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31, which Araqchi was quoted as saying was “an unforgivable violation of Iran’s security and sovereignty,” adding: “Punishing the aggressor is Iran’s right.”
